At some point, you've probably been there: You put on some lipstick only to find out it's migrated everywhere but where it is supposed to be. It's on your teeth, the corner of your mouth, or all over your wine glass. With some shades and formulas this might not be the end of the world, but if you're wearing a deep vampy red, or anything darker than your natural lip colour the embarrassment factor might be high. So here are 5 tips for getting that lip colour to look fresh and stay put:
Prime
There are tons on the market now and for good reason, they really can work. Primers can help smooth out the lines in your lips that lip colour gathers in and help colour from feathering around the lip line. They can also help matte formulas feel much more comfortable on the lip. Think of them as the glue between your lips and the colour.
Primers to try: ColourPop Lippie Stix Primer, Urban Decay Ultimate Ozone Multi Purpose Primer Pencil, Mac Prep and Prime Lip
Line
We all know that lip liner wasn't put on this earth so that you could forever look like a 90's throwback, it was meant to accentuate and line the lips. It also helps keep the lipstick in the lines, and not all over your face (been there!). These days you can get waterproof formulas, and shades to match almost any lip colour (or contrast if that's the look you're going for). Oh, and if you still can't find the perfect shade to go with your holy grail lipstick? They even come in clear now!
Top Trick: use a clear lip liner to ever so slightly line outside the natural lip line, and a matching lip liner to line the lip line if you really struggle with feathering and bleeding lipstick.
Liners to Try: Make Up For Ever Aqua Lip Waterproof Lip Liner, MAC Lip Pencils, No Cosmetics No Bleeding Lips, Urban Decay 24/7 Glide on Lip Pencil (colours and clear)
Formula
Speaking of drying formulas, when it comes to payoff, lasting power and non transfer colour, matte is the way to go. Glossier formulas tend to grip or grab on to everything and anything (straws, wine glasses, other lips...wink). Matte formulas have less oils in them, which may make them feel less comfortable on the lips (see Primer to help with this) but they stick around (on the lips only!) much longer.
Formulas to try: Nars Velvet Matte Lip Pencils, Hourglass Opaque Rouge, Kat Von D Everlasting Liquid Lipstick
Blot
A trick your mother probably taught you, but something often forgotten these days is the benefit of a good old blot. A great trick to sandwich colour is to apply colour, blot then repeat.
Top Trick: Peel your tissue into single ply to avoid tissue lint on your lips!
Powder
I know what you're thinking... powder your lips? A great old school trick to keep lip colour from feathering is to make sure you lightly powder the area around your lips before applying colour. If you're wearing a rather emollient foundation or concealer around your lips, this might cause your lip colour to creep into fine lines you might never knew you had. If you want your lip line to look razor sharp, sweep some loose translucent powder across your lips (post primer if you use it) and then apply your colour.
Top Trick: Make sure you choose translucent powder, as to not compromise the colour of your lip colour. Less is more here!
Powders to try: Laura Mercier Translucent Loose Setting Powder, NYC Smooth Skin Loose Powder
What are your favourite tips and tricks for lipstick that lasts or doesn't kiss or transfer off?
Leave them in the comments below!
